The FIM Sand Races World Championship reaches its midpoint at Loon-Plage on the northern French coast on 7 and 8 November. The Ronde des Sables is round three after meetings in Morocco and Italy. Norway’s Håkon Fredriksen arrives with a nine-point lead in the Moto class. He has been near the front throughout the opening rounds: first and third in the two Moroccan races, then a win and a second place in the separate races at Bibione.
The format now changes the calculation. The first two rounds had two shorter races for each class, while the Moto result at Loon-Plage will come from one two-and-a-half-hour race on Sunday. Deep sand over that distance rewards stamina, a sustainable pace and mechanical reliability. Dutch rider Damien Knuiman is Fredriksen’s nearest challenger. Behind him, Cyril Genot and Jeremy Hauquier are level in the fight for third place in the championship standings.
Defending champion Todd Kellett adds another strand to the contest. A technical problem in Morocco and a fall in Italy have left him sixth, 20 points behind the leader, but long races suit his strengths. In Moto Women, Mathilde Martinez leads reigning champion Mathilde Denis by 14 points. With one extended race deciding each result at Loon-Plage, the contenders will need to manage the full distance; a strong opening alone will not settle the title battle.